Mawaru Penguindrum, Yuri Kuma Arashi Recommendations

These two shows are crazy similar. I would question whether or not Yurikuma was written as a sequel. We have similarly painted backgrounds, fluffy, starry, love love accessories, and even crazy similar, over the top, and repeated sequences. And, of course, overreaching metaphors "hidden" in the light yet dark anime. It's bonkers.

Both series are directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara (also known for Revolutionary Girl Utena) whose signature style generally features heavy symbolism and metaphors to convey many important story elements. Both series are a lot deeper than what they seem on the surface but if you like one then you'll most likely appreciate the other due to Ikuhara's influence.
Penguindrum and Yuri Kuma both feature their titular animals, penguins and bears respectively, throughout the series.

The art looks awfully similar such as the mysterious environment.
In Mawaru Penguin Drum, there are penguins. In Yuri Kuma Arashi, there are bears.
But in Mawaru Penguin Drum, the main characters like penguins and in Yuri kuma Arashi, the main characters are trying to eradicate the bears.
Both have magical interferences at some point.
And the stairs. Those stairs. The animal people in both anime stands at the top of the stairs while planning a strategy.
I'm serious. Even one of the characters in Yuri Kuma Arashi sounds like Himari from Mawaru Penguin Drum.

These two series have something Awesome, the symbolism, the weird story, a dark and dramatic story. If you watched Yuri Kuma Arashi/Mawaru Penguindrum you'll love the other but maybe if you never watched an ikuhara's anime Yuri Kuma Arashi is not the best where start, because you'll never understand/ try to understand the real meaning of the anime. Bye :P

Mawaru Penguindrum and Yuri Kuma Arashi are both surreal, sometimes dark (despite the adorable penguins/bears), and absolutely bursting with symbolism. Kunihiko Ikuhara directed both, and he certainly has a unique, defined style. Both works present themes and ideas that ask the viewer to think and analyze, and not just take what's being presented at face value. It's not for everyone, but if you like one, there's a very high chance you'll like the other.

These 2 anime were directed by the same director, have a similar art style and catchy OP/ED, and both have a pet that appears frequently in every episode. We have bears in Yuri Kuma Arashi and we have penguins in Penguindrum.
The shows do not only share visual similarities but also share the same central themes of love, friendship, and (sometimes) family. Some Yuri Kuma Arashi characters share the same ideology and motivation of some Penguindrum characters. They almost look like references. These include characters with twisted motivations and concept of love and friendship that will do anything to achieve what they desire including betrayal. Somealso share hidden and dark pasts that only very close to the ending are revealed. Both endings have a similar feeling too.
On the side note, Yuri Kuma Arashi has the love between girls as a central theme while Penguindrum focuses more on family, but both have some light lesbian scenes.
TLDR: The anime have a similar story, characters, and many other traits so if you enjoyed Penguindrum there is a big chance you will enjoy Yuri Kuma Arashi.read more